Suction box



Patented Oct. 1 1, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EARL E. BIERIK.;7 OF BELOIT, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR T0 BELOIT IRON WORKS, A COR- PORATION OF WISCONSIN.

SUCTION BOX.\l

rIhis invention relates to suction boxes for paper machines and the' like, and more particularly to a suction 'box having a top surface of compressed graphitic carbon.

The suct-ion boxes now used in paper machines for extracting water from the web of paper on paper machine wire or from felts is generally formed witha top made of maple wood. One of the chief objections to a maple top for suction boxes, or any Y other top made of wood, is that the wire tends to score the top surface as it passes over the suction box. In order to prevent the scoring occurring in any one place, it has become customar to oscillate the suction boxes, thus distributing the scoring action over the entire surface. Even with this provision it is necessary at regular frequent intervals to remove the suction boxes from the paper machines and plane down the top to obtain a fresh smooth surface.l Obviously this entails a temporary shut down of the paper machine and necessitates frequent replacement of the maple tops.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a top surface for suction boxes adapted to resist scoring action of a wire or other belt material passing over the suction box.

A further object of this invention is to provide a suction box having a top formed of compressed graphitic carbon whereby a certain amount of lubricating effect is obtained to prevent wear and drag on the' wire.

Other and further important objects of this invention will be apparent from the disclosures in the specification and the accompanying drawings.

This invention (in a preferred form) is illustrated in the drawings and hereinafter more fully described..

On the drawings:

Figure l is a longitudinal sectional view of a suction box embodying the principles of my invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line II-II of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the top removed.

As shown on the drawings:

The reference numeral 1 indicates a type of suction box in common use on paper machines for removing Water from a travelling Application led October 28, 1926. .Serial No. 144,681.

band, such as a paper machine wire carrying the Wet web of paper or a wet felt on a paper machine. The said suction box l comprises a. relatively narrow and shallow trough, preferably formed of `metal, and provided with iianges 2 extending outwardly around the upper edge of the side walls. A top plate 3 is adapted to be secured to said flanges 2 by means of bolts 4. Fo-rmerl such a top plate Was' made of maple Woo but in accordance with my invention said top is preferably formed of carbonaceous material such as compressed graphitic carbon. Apertures 5 are provided in the top plate 3 to permit suction to be applied through the top plate through a wire or other travelling band passing over said top plate. The usual means are provided for confining the suction area, comprising a threaded rod 6 extending through each end of the suction box 1 provided at its'outer end with a handle 7 and rotatably secured at its inner end in a plate 8. A movable head 9 is threaded upon each of the rods 6 and is adapted to partition off the suction box to correspond With the 'band material or of the paper web passing over the box. A pipe 10 entersv the bottom of the box, las at 1l, and

is suitably connected to a source of vacuum for creating a partial vacuum within the suction box.

Whenever a suction box of this type is used in connection with Fourdrinier paper machines, it has been found that the wire vdoes not tend to score the carbonaceous top nearly as readily as was formerly the case with maple tops. Furthermore there is less drag of the box on the wire due to a lubricating effect of the carbon top. In the case of oscillating suction boxes, as commonly used on paper making machines, the drag of the suction box tended to cause excessive made, and numerous details of construction the like having a perforated top formed of may be Varied through a wide range withcompressed graphitic carbon. out departing from the principles of this "2. A surface for suction boxes and the like invention, and therefore do not purpose comprised of graphitic carbon. limiting the patent granted hereon, other- In testimony whereof I have hereunto wise than necessitated by the prior art. subscribed' my name. Y

I claim as my invention :V

1. A suction box for paper machines and EARL E. BERRY. 

